| Author | Message | ||
| godoze
Member Username: godoze Post Number: 59 Registered: 10-2004 |
I am trying to lower the action on my Epic. I've got the neck adjusted and have been playing with the bridge but it seems that i'm stuck with about 3/16" at the 12th fret. any lower and we start buzzing. anyone able to go lower ? | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 517 Registered: 12-2002 |
you might wanna give another twist to one (or both) of your rods. | ||
| rogertvr
Advanced Member Username: rogertvr Post Number: 280 Registered: 1-2003 |
I've just measured The Dragon's Wing - that's at about 0.9mm at the 12th fret - that's about 1/32" if my maths is correct. In fact, the bridge is flat on the base plate. It doesn't squeak or rattle but it does require a very light touch to play it. Rog | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2125 Registered: 6-2000 |
Always adjust both truss rods an equal amount. The only person allowed to make individual rod adjustments is our dear James, and that's usually to correct another person's error in adjusting one rod only. That being said, if the strings are pulling more forward bow to the neck than you'd like, then tightening the truss rods is in order to conter that pull. You'll have to adjust the bridge height and intonation after the truss rod adjustment. | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 1028 Registered: 5-2002 |
Boy have I been breaking the rules! <g> | ||
| godoze
Member Username: godoze Post Number: 60 Registered: 10-2004 |
This is the first bass I've owned with dual rods; what exactly is the = theory behind this = | ||
| effclef
Advanced Member Username: effclef Post Number: 269 Registered: 1-2004 |
With two rods, you can correct for twist in the neck - you can make the G string side tension different from the E string side. EffClef | ||
| godoze
Member Username: godoze Post Number: 63 Registered: 10-2004 |
so i am thinking i will tweak the neck a bit more, lower the bridge and pickups and then adjust the nut if needed. | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 484 Registered: 3-2004 |
You might want to measure the bow in the neck to get an idea of where you are and where you're going. Take a straight edge and rest it on the first and 24th frets then see how much space you have between the ruler and the 12th. I am not sure what optimal is, but it will give you an idea of how you're doing with regard to bow. If you end up knowing what you like, you'll find it much easier to repeat in future setups. If you have another bass that has action you like, you can measure it and then try to transfer the settings over. Measuring makes the adjsutment scientific rather than a seat-of-the-pants thing. | ||
| rogertvr
Advanced Member Username: rogertvr Post Number: 281 Registered: 1-2003 |
Alternatively, lie the instrument on its back, and fret the string at the 1st and 24th frets, and use the bottom of the string as the straight edge. That's what I do as I haven't got a steel ruler that's long enough. Rog | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2136 Registered: 6-2000 |
You really want to measure anything related to playing in as close to playing position as possible. Even slight pressure from a neck rest or the peghead being on a flat surface will make the measurement less reliable. James uses the method you describe, Roger, only he does it while sitting down and playing, looking down at the string. Don, you've got a good plan for setting the action to where you want it. Joey's instructions are the best for setup. Study them well and practice the adjustments. Just like playing, adjusting does take practice to master so be patient with yourself as you are learning. A word of caution on nut adjustments. Only chage the nut if you have a fret buzz on an open string only - one that goes away once you fret. And do loosen the center anchor screw first else you will bend the baseplate and I'll know you don't read directions when you order a replacemnt ;) | ||
| rogertvr
Advanced Member Username: rogertvr Post Number: 282 Registered: 1-2003 |
I should have clarified where I lay the instrument down. I lie it on a nice soft fluffy duvet on a bed, so that it sinks into the duvet, with the headstock hanging over the edge of the bed. I have found this to be the best method for me. What Mica is saying is quite correct - the smallest pressure on the neck makes a difference. All other adjustments to the instrument I make whilst standing up with it on a strap over my shoulder - as that's how I usually play it. | ||
| godoze
Member Username: godoze Post Number: 72 Registered: 10-2004 |
Thanks everyone ! I am going to start sunday after I get back from the guitar show. I'll report my results. | ||
| rogertvr
Advanced Member Username: rogertvr Post Number: 283 Registered: 1-2003 |
I can't speak for anyone else in the Club, but I couldn't get The Dragon's Wing as low as it is now in one go. I've kept chipping away at it (and my playing technique) over the last seven or so months since I've owned it. Of course, when I first got it, I dropped the bridge on to the base plate to see if it would play - it wouldn't! But now, seven months on, that's the point I've got it to. It's as much to do with me as it is to do with the way the instrument is set-up. Patience is a virtue and Rome wasn't built in a day! | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 494 Registered: 3-2004 |
It's true that the lighter your touch, the lower you can go. The buzzing isn't always the instrument's fault. | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 1782 Registered: 9-2002 |
I quote Mica on this when she told about the late JE came to get his ALembics he had them set up soooo low that NOBODY at Alembic could have ONE decent not out of them. But when John touched it ...it was exactly right. Also with Bonnie in my case... on this moment there is nobody able to play that bass. Guitarplayers in my bands only get rattle. HA !!!! BASSPLAYER RULES!!!!!! PTBO | ||
| godoze
Member Username: godoze Post Number: 73 Registered: 10-2004 |
Everyone knows bassists rule !=20 | ||
| hollis
Senior Member Username: hollis Post Number: 524 Registered: 11-2003 |
Well.......Almost everybody knows that..... |
